INVISALIGN TREATMENT
​
More adults and teens are finally getting that beautiful smile they've always wanted, without anyone even knowing they are going through treatment. These virtually invisable aligners are custom made to your exact treatment needs, as directed by Dr. McDowell's diagnosis. Each set of trays are worn for about 2 weeks, and are manufactured to gradually shift your teeth according to the individual treatment goals.
Dr. McDowell, your board certified orthodontist, is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions and in creating stunning smiles. as a result of his experience and education with Invisalign, he is a designated Elite Provider for Invisalign. This ranks our office in the top 1 % of Invisalign Providers in the world.
Benefits of invisalign over traditional braces.
Virtually impossible to see - This is why more adults and teens are seeking treatment than ever before. Get the gift of self-confidence and all the enhancement in life this brings.
More comfortable - Invisalign aligners are made of medical-grade light-weight plastic custom-fit around your teeth. You don't have to worry about the gum or cheek irritation of braces or poking wires, as well as the inconvenience of braces breaking.
Easy to remove - The aligners are easy to pop out of the mouth and put right back in later. This is a tremendous advantage when it comes to sports, meals, playing musical instruments, or special occasions.
Easy to maintain - When it is time to eat, brush, or floss, simply remove the aligners. Unlike braces, you can remove the aligners and eat whatever you want, without the fear of breaking braces, potential emergencies, and extra charges.
Much improved oral hygiene and health - Since the aligners are removable, it's easier to brush, floss, and maintain a healthy periodontium (gums). This helps avoid tooth decay, swollen gums, and decalcification (white spots) sometimes associated with traditional braces.
Faster treatment / shorter appointments - Since the aligners grip the teeth in an infinitely larger number of spots than braces, it performs many tooth movements faster and more effectively than conventional braces. With shorter appointments to deliver and monitor treatment compared to adjustments of braces, the total time in the orthodontic office is reduced. The end result, less treatment time, with the average Invisalign treatment time being 9-15 months. Treatment time varies case by case, depending on complexity.
Effective even in the most difficult cases - While most cases can be treated with Invisalign alone, some more severe movements require a combination treatment with traditional braces (for a minimal time) and Invisalign. The end result, a stunning smile with all of the advantages of Invisalign, and minimal braces wear. This is another advantage of utilizing an expert orthodontist.
Affordable - Invisalign generally costs the same as traditional braces, and McDowell Orthodontics offer several payment options to make this affordable for anyone desiring this lifetime benefit
INVISALIGN FAQS
1. Does invisalign really work?
Yes, Invisalign works, often faster than braces! Each new set of aligners progressively move the teeth in the proper direction prescribed by Dr. McDowell and his customized treatment just for you.
The only difference is, the flexibility of the aligners provide the gentle force to move the teeth, as compared to the wires as in traditional braces.
Over a million people have been treated with fantastic results, so call us at (727) 474-1721 and Dr. McDowell will discuss just how beautiful your smile can be.
2. Why choose an orthodontist to straighten my teeth?
A) Training - Orthodontists are highly trained specialists (2-3 years beyond dental school) in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusions to give their patients the best and most stable treatment results.
B) Experience - Because an orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles and facial profiles, they treat hundreds of new cases each year. A dentist may see only a small hand full of cases per year in between drilling and filling. Due to this combination of specialized training and tremendous amount of experience, orthodontists are more able to recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. When a case becomes more challenging, as they often do, orthodontists know what to do to properly handle unexpected problems as they arise.
C) Affordability - Because orthodontists and their expert team are highly trained and efficient, the fee is usually nearly the same, even though their expertise and experience are significantly higher.
3. What do I do if I've been told I'm not a candidate for invisalign?
Come to McDowell Orthodontics for a second opinion! While Invisalign alone can't treat every case, every case can be treated with a combination of braces (for a very short period) and Invisalign. Wearing braces for the small things that Invisalign can't do for 3-6 months is still better than braces for 18-24 months! And usually, these are in the back where they can't be seen anyways!
4. How long does invisalign take and how much does it cost?
The treatment time will vary, depending on the complexity of the case, just as it does with traditional braces. However, in many cases, invisalign takes less time than braces, with an average treatment time of 12-15 months. As for affordability, Invisalign is approximately the same cost as braces. So, what are you waiting for? Call McDowell Orthodontics at (727) 442-6098 for a complimentary Invisalign consult today.
5. When can invisalignteen be started?
Invisalign-Teen can be started as soon as patients have lost all of their primary (baby) teeth and have second molars at least partially erupted. This includes most teens from 13-19 years old. Call our office at (727) 442-6098 for a FREE consultation to see if you're ready to start now.
6. Will the invisalign treatment hurt?
Just like when braces are adjusted, most patients will experience some mild tooth soreness for a few days after each new stage of aligners. This is normal, and means your teeth are gradually moving in the desired directions. The soreness will gradually go away a few days after each new set of aligners are worn. Overall, the discomfort is usually less than with traditional braces.
7. How often must aligners be worn?
Invisalign aligners are only working when they are being worn. We recommend they be worn all the time except when eating, brushing or flossing, or for rare special occasions (minimum 22 hours per day) or as directed by Dr. McDowell.
8. Are there restrictions on what I can eat?
No. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed. So, there's no need to avoid certain foods for fear of breaking a wire or brace, as well as no emergencies.
9. Will wearing invisalign affect my speech?
Similar to other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to the aligners, any lisp caused by the aligners should disappear.
10. How are invisalign aligners made?
First, precise impressions are made of your teeth. Then Dr. McDowell will send these impressions along with his customized treatment plan, radiographs, and photos to Align Technology. Using advanced 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan and sequencing, from the initial position of your teeth to their final desired position. Then, a series of virtually invisible thermoplastic aligners are custom-made for your teeth - and
your teeth only - to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series, until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by Dr. McDowell, based on your specific needs and treatment goals.
